I have not read the first 5 books in the series, I have read the 6th book because I was given that for review. I feel like for the 6th book I didn’t feel like I needed to read the first 5 books to connect with the story and the town and the characters and I really enjoyed that one. For this one though I don’t know what happened but I could not connect with the characters or the romance. I wanted to love this one and it just didn’t do it for me. The romance just seemed rushed and I just didn’t care for the characters at all. The story was alright and I still intend to continue on with the series. I also really need to read the first 5 books

THE DUKE’S EMBRACE by Erica Ridley
I loved this simple story of a young lady who dreams of becoming a renowned journalist in London. Miss Eve Shelling’s father owned the only printing press in Cressmouth famous for its yuletide cheer Christmastide feeling all year round. Eve no longer wanted to write puff pieces for the paper. She wanted to write hard hitting action pieces. She needed the experience if she was ever to make it big in London. Monsieur Sebastien le Duc is one of the local smithies. His eldest brother Lucien was the other smithy. The reason they were in England is a terrible tragic story. They escaped France during the peasant revolution. Bastien’s family’s dream has been to return to France and try to reclaim their title and lands their parents had. It has been eighteen years and now the time was at hand to leave. That had been the plan. Eve fought her attraction to Bastien at every turn. When Bastien set his eyes on her there was no going back. If you read the last book in the series you know the type of other business the le Duc’s were involved with. Eve found out and was going to expose all those involved. I liked the characters very much. Strong, loyal, determined and honest. Family first was something Eve and Bastien had in common. What was to happen to Eve and Bastien’s budding romance? What was going to happen to the le Duc family if Eve printed an expose? Will they flee to France or be stuck in England? I enjoyed the story. It was entertaining and fun to read. I do recommend this story. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

What a fun little town! This story is a nice addition to the series. A dominating father for the journalist and the Frenchmen are ready to return home. So why suddenly do they notice each other? The story unfolds in a delightful tale. I enjoyed the book.

I thought that was really enjoyable story!

It was a little slow to start but as soon as I got in to the story and pace built up I thought it was a real page turner and a really nice romantic story that was genuinely heart-warming in places. It has well developed characters that work well together.

The plot was well developed and the author had a nice writing style. The flow for the story was good too. It is 4 stars from me for this one, highly recommended!!

Local blacksmith Monsieur Sébastien le Duc has a new mission--find a buyer for the smithy so his brother and he can finally return to France, the land of their birth. He enlists the help of budding journalist Miss Eve Shelling who agrees to put an ad into the Cressmouth Gazette. Eve finds herself becoming more attractive to Bastien the more time they spend together, but she reminds herself that a romance between them is pointless because he'll be leaving soon.

I love this series and The Duke's Embrace is another feel good story. The leDuc brothers are well defined and their goals are simple--make enough money to finance their return trip home. Ms. Ridley has written another well crafted story that makes the reader route for both Bastien and Eve to find a compromise to their budding romance. As with the other stories in this series, a happily ever after is finally achieved after a few bumps along the way. I'm looking forward to reading Lucien's story.

This is book 7 in the 12 dukes of Christmas series. You do not have to read them in order but I think you will get more enjoyment if you do.
This one is about a young woman, Miss Eve Shelling who dreams of being a great journalist. She works
and writes for The Cressmouth Gazette a paper her father owns. Eve does all the work for the paper, runs the press, writes the articles and make sure the shipping is on time. Her father orders her to write and print only what he wants in the paper, positive things, stories of Christmas, Sleigh rides, wassailing . These will bring more tourist to a town know for Christmas. She wants to write about life, and how the village is so much more and about the people. Eve lost her mother years ago and carries not only sadness but quilt
the has taken over all her feelings. Her father does nothing now but stay in his den by himself.
She does not trust men period. Her best friend is Duenna who just happens to go ever where with her. She is a Hugh Bull mastiff dog that protects her and keeps men at large.
Monsieur Sebastien know as Bastien is the towns dandy, and one of the black smiths along with his brother Lucien.
They have been in Cressmouth for the last nineteen years, since having to flee from France.
Even thru Eve and Bastien have known about each other they just now start talking as they need each other now.
Bastien needs to sell the smithy so he and Lucien can return to France.
Eve needs a story she can write that is not about the some old things even if it upsets her father.
She and Bastien make a deal , she gets to write about the Brother's and in turn will help him sell the smithy.
As the learn about the other, and share things with each other, alone with some hot kissing.
Just as they are working it all out danger rises to end everything. There are many secrets in this small town,
and the wrong people finding out could hurt many. Saying any more would ruin the book for you.
You don't want to miss any of these books, but I think this may be my favorite. (I say that after each one)
I want to thank the author and NetGalley for giving me and ARC . I am voluntarily giving my honest opinion.

I'll be honest and say this was not my favourite. Don't get me wrong it WAS an enjoyable read but something about Eve was bothering me and I just can't seem to find the reason behind it.
I did like Sebastian; I mean who doesn't like a dandy with all the right words.

Once again the banter was funny and the chemistry/love between the characters was believable. I'm excited to see who'll be paired with Lucien; i have a feeling he'll be my favourite in the series.

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

The Duke’s Embrace is the seventh book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series by Erica Ridley. This was another awesome book for the series! Eve Shelling was under-paid and under-appreciated by her father who owned the Cressmouth Gazette. She was ambitious and wanted the Gazette to become something better than a quarterly paper that only contained information about the town’s festivities for Christmas. She thought it should contain things about the actual people and families that lived in Cressmouth, when her father was happy to continue reissuing old issues. Compromising with her father and trying to find an in between was becoming hard. She was excited when she came up with the idea to write an article about the Le Duc’s smithy to help them find a buyer for the business.
Sebastien “Bastien” le Duc and his family owned and operated the local blacksmith. They were determined to return to their home country of France after earning enough money to pay for their uncle to have his home. His family was also part of a secret smuggling operation that helped to supplement their income. They were planning on returning to France after they sold the smithy right after Christmas. He didn’t plan on falling for Eve or dreading to leave Cressmouth.
This was a short and fast paced book to read, but such a fun book. I loved the characters in the book. Sebastien was a dandy who loved his family and was not afraid of hard work. His loyalty to his family was strong and his skills as a problem solver helped them to survive. Eve was determined and had a good vision for the Gazette to make a difference to the people who actually lived in Cressmouth year-round. I can’t wait to read the next book and see Lucien get his happy ever after.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Eve and Bastien know what they want. Eve wants to be a journalist and write “real” news. Bastien wants to return to France and help his bother restore the family name and reclaim their birthright. As these two help each other towards their goals, they begin to see each other in a different light. It doesn’t matter how they feel about each other; they can’t stay together, can they?

Bastien and Eve’s story takes place in Cressmouth, a beautiful little village in the far northern part of England where Christmas is celebrated year-round. Lovable quirky characters, snarky banter, and a happy story with a few twists and turns make this one to enjoy. The story includes a spoiled hog, a large Mastiff named Duenna, and a story featuring the last seven swans a-swimming on the town pond before they migrate. The Duke’s Embrace is another lovely addition to the 12 Dukes of Christmas.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This is a wonderful Christmas story. I loved the characters and the plot. Erica Ridley has been a favorite author of mine for awhile now. Eve is a journalist and Sébastien le Duc is the local blacksmith. This story had some twist and turn which made it even better.

Loved the story! Eve and Bastien were perfect for each other after never noticing the other for 18 years. I loved how they figured out what's most important to each other by the end and can't wait to find out who/what the next "Duke" is!! Thank you for the advance copy!

I'm seriously digging this series.

The Duke's Embrace is the 7th installment in Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series. This story features the middle le Duc sibling, Sebastian or "Bastian" and the town's aspiring journalist, Eve Shelling.

Eve wants to turn her little town of Cressmouth aka Christmas' newsletter into a serious newspaper but is having to fight the owner, her father, tooth and nail for every article. Armed with her trusty notebook and her faithful companion, Duenna- a bullmastiff, she sets out to write a story to change her father's mind.

Local blacksmith and dandy, Sébastien le Duc, finally has helped pay off his uncle's land lease and can now set sights on his move back to France with his brother Lucien but has to sell his Smithy first. Bastian enlists Eve's help in selling the Blacksmith business in exchange for help in Eve writing a feature on the business for her paper.

The more time they spend together the more they have to question their goals and motivations for them while giving in to the spark burning between them that has a very finite end date.

I will say, I enjoyed this story but I wish the ending was a bit more fleshed out and expanded. I felt like a lot happened in the last 20 pages. Further, it only sparks a greater wish to read Lucien's story.... gimme, gimme, gimme! Waiting on bated breath for the next one!!

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.*

4 stars

Part of the 12 Dukes of Christmas Series: Book 7.
The series is set in Cressmouth, a village in the North of regency england with perpetual Christmas. Our Hero is one of the local blacksmiths a hunky frenchman called Sebastian. The Heroine is Eve a Journalist and much put upon by her father. Bastian is keen to return to France with his brooding brother Lucien. Eve is keen for her newspaper to do well. I liked how Eve was not shy and retiring but strove for what she wanted.
You certainly don't have to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one but it certainly helps in visualising the village, its inhabitants and their various quirks.

I recommend this romance you will soon be ingrossed.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Back to beloved Cressmouth, England or "Christmas" where anything can happen, especially if there is a Duke around!! But one young lady, Eve Shelling was determined to be a good journalist and write about other items beside the same old aritcles. Of course, her father was the owner of the paper and he was determined to make her follow the rules, drat it!
Determined to write her own article, she continues to take matters in her own hand. The new subject, Local Blacksmith and dandy Monsieur Sebastien le Duc will make a fine contribution! Of course he and his family's goal is to get back to France.
But as they get to know each other, it sees Eve determines there is a lot more to Bastien than meets the eye!
Such a fun story with a determined lady and a charmer of a man, who get to know each other and find out they may just be right for each other!!

Aspiring, though currently unpaid and unappreciated, journalist Eve Shelling learned early on the painful lesson that men cannot be trusted. So she focuses on her paper and not falling for the charming subject of her latest article. Sebastien le Duc runs the village blacksmith shop along with his brother, Lucian. He's a dandy with hidden secrets, like his involvement in a smuggling operation, but he has a good heart and he and his brother are now finally able to sell their shop and at last return to their homeland in France. But when he loses his heart to Eve, and the ambitious journalist learns his secrets, it may be too late for Sebastian to have any future at all.

I found Bastien to be adorable, but Eve just made me angry at the end. She couldn't be bothered to listen to her Bastien's story and instead blabbed to her father, with no concern for Bastien's safety or that of his family and instead feeding right into her father's prejudices. Of course she did get her head on straight in the end, but I wound up feeling like it wasn't really fair for Sebastien to be subjected to such threats from her without a proper apology in the end of ever getting to really explain himself, meanwhile Eve wound up getting everything she'd ever wanted. Nonetheless, this was still an enjoyable read and I look forward to Lucien's story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another story about Cressmouth in he series of the 12 Dukes. This time we meet Bastien another of the le Duc family. He and his brother Luc run the Smithy for the town, the only smithy, which means that as they want to return to France and sell the smithy business, property and all apart from the cottage, the town will be without a blacksmith.
Alongside this we have an enterprising yung woman who runs the Cressmouth Chronicle. Her father claims to own it and run it, but a. He took her dowry to finance the purchase of the type and printer, and b. She does all the writing and printing work, he just OKs the content! So much for women’s property rights in this period.
So when she wants to write a juicier story than the usual ‘How wonderful Cressmouth is’ and ‘The town that celebrates Christmas’ etc etc they disagree. Especially when she wants to write about the Frenchmen running the Smithy...
And so a romance ensues.
The usual standard of writing we come to expect from Erica and nice content. Again we growl when we hear about the property rights of men versus women and how women are ‘ruled’ by the men in their family.. and find ourselves grateful that we no longer need a co-sponsor for our mortgages (I did when I was much younger) and that we can vote and run our own businesses.

Less frivolous than the previous books in this series, this story nevertheless has laugh-out-loud moments interspersed with heartache and pain. Eve has an inquisitive mind and not being inclined to follow her father's dictates about what should go into the Cressmouth newspaper, she looks for ways in which to make the newspaper more interesting and relevant to the small town where Christmas is a year-round event. Despite keeping her distance, she keeps bumping into Bastien le Duc, the young Frenchman who has made Cressmouth his home. Bastien has a love for the finer things in life and with his quirky sense of fun and love for dashing clothing make him an interesting character. Eve has been fascinated by him for years, but her lack of self-confidence and focus on the newspaper have made her wary of being openly friendly. The Le Duc brothers have a driving need to return to France and reclaim their inheritance after the Reign of Terror and Bastien realises that Eve may, in fact, have the perfect solution for them to sell their forge. When the conflict between Eve and her father comes to a head, Bastien has to find a way in which to solve all their problems. I received a copy of this gentle romance as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I find it so frustrating when I come to the end of a book and I’m at a complete loss for words. This was a mostly light story that was fun and I enjoyed reading it, yet somehow it didn’t have the same impact on me that I usually expect this author’s work to have. Perhaps it was the shorter length of this book that didn’t allow me to get as completely swept away in their world as I’d hoped, because I’ve been anxiously awaiting the stories of the le Duc siblings. Though I have to give Ms. Ridley honors for one of the most reprehensible parental figures I’ve ever read. For me, Eve and Bastien’s story is all about the choices we make and being true to your heart. I’m already excited to see what Lucien’s book will bring us.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author through NetGalley.

Although I didn’t enjoy this story in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series as much as the previous ones, it is still a good read. Eve wants to be a valued journalist and Sébastien wants to do whatever he can to make his family happy. Neither is looking for love, but they might just find it anyway. The 2 main characters just didn’t grab my attention; however, Duenna did. I am very interested in reading the next book about Lucien. I am apparently much more interested in sullen, grumpy, curmudgeons.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I received a copy from the author via NetGalley; this is my honest review.
#12Dukes #NetGalley
-LOL moments at every turn. The best one being "I've come to ravish you." Eve was in the doorway of the castle, writing in her notebook, blocking the entrance. "What do you want?", she asked of Sébastien, completely forgetting where she's standing and he played with her a bit.
-I love Crestmount and its inhabitants. They are a fun gang, even better when you follow the series and get to know many of them, all of them special in their own way.
-If Eve's father keeps repeating that all men have something hide, what's his secrets? It didn't come up, but I'm asking.
-Sometimes you have to choose between two evils; there are no right choices here, they only did their best. Great story, easy to read, and kudos on the editing.